‘Pfumvudza scheme is not political’

ZVIMBA – THE Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme is not a political project, farmers heard
on Tuesday at the launch of the scheme in Zvimba District.
This means every farmer who will have prepared his or her land up to the required
minimum standards can receive the Pfumvudza/Intwasa inputs.
The Pfumvudza/Intwasa inputs distribution is currently underway in all provinces as the
Government continues with efforts to ensure that all farmers are food secure at the
household level.
In a bid to make the country self-sufficient, the Government has enrolled a programme
where 60 directors have been deployed to the 60 districts of the country to spread
knowledge and teach procedures of Pfumvudza/Intwasa scheme.
Addressing farmers in Zvimba on Tuesday, Chief Director of Agricultural Advisory and
Rural Development Services, Professor Obert Jari, representing Permanent Secretary,
Dr John Basera, applauded the good work by farmers in preparing land and advised
them that inputs will only be given to those who have prepared for three plots upwards.
Directors deployed will be informing procedures as they tour the districts.
“We need to prepare for this coming season. That is why we have deployed 60 directors
so that they spread the word of Pfumvudza/intwasa thereby helping farmers prepare
land in time and see to it that we will not experience drought. This season, we might
experience less rains, so if we distribute inputs late and experience less rains, it means
there is possibility of drought. Mulching is the key.
“Pfumvudza is not political, it is a Presidential scheme so everyone should get
something as long you have prepared the required plots. So even if every family
member prepares the land as required they will get inputs. So ngaticherei makomba,”
said Professor Jiri.
He said that the introduction of Agro-Ecological matching was in line with NDS1 and
leaving no place and no one behind as farmers are being given inputs in accordance
with the regions they come from.
“We are commanding all irrigation areas to have maize under the Pfumvudza scheme
and that is the only way we can secure our food. To all places in Regions 4and 5, only

small grains are allowed because we do not want a policy-induced drought, so that is
what the 60 directors will be emphasising in the districts,” he said.
In Zvimba West at Nyaude Village, Ward 7, under Chief Zvimba 36 farmers, who had
prepared three plots including the Zunde raMambo received their inputs.
Speaking to the beneficiaries of the inputs, Headman George Nyamukamba, applauded
the Pfumvudza/Intwasa inputs saying at least this year they are being distributed earlier
and it will help them attain maximum production.
“Tinonyanya kuzvikudzisa chose nokuti izvi zvinhu zvinoita kuti hurongwa hwekurima
hufambe zvakanaka nenguva, uye hapana chinoshota nekuti nguva yapfuura vanhu
kana vapiwa Compond D, sometimes Top yacho yaizouya chibage chakutoibva
choshaya kuita zvakanaka.
“Iyezvino paitwa zvakanaka tapiwa maiputs ose kusanganisira nemushonga wemombe.
Gore rakapera ndanga ndakaita maplot matanhatu chete asi rwendo rwuno ndiri
kuwedzera akati wandei,” said Headman Nyamukamba.
In her welcome remarks, the new Mashonaland West Minister of State for Political
Affairs and Devolution, Marian Chombo, said Mashonaland West is known as the bread
basket of the country and has always been producing more yields, so the province
should not disappoint. She appreciated the impact and role of the Pfumvudza scheme in
making households food secure.
“As Mashonaland West, we will overlap the hectarage target. For us to achieve this, I
urge those giving inputs to distribute equally to everyone who has prepared their land as
required,” said Chombo.
She also urged people not to start veld fires, since the province has higher figures of fire
than other provinces.